Questions and Answers
How does Agamemnon die?
Clytemnestra throws a net over him while Agamemnon is in the bath and hacks him to death with an axe.
How does Agamemnon return from the Trojan War?
With a lot of loot and the Trojan princess Cassandra as his slave in tow.
Who is Electra?
Daughter of late King Agamemnon, married off to a poor peasant.
Who is Orestes?
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How does the oracle at Delphi affect Orestes?
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How does Orestes manage to get into his mother's palace?
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How does Orestes' death differ from that of others in the House of Atreus?
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What are the important circumstances surrounding the birth of Oedipus?
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How does Oedipus become King of Thebes?
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What instruction does Apollo give to rid Thebes of a plague?
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What does Oedipus do when he learns the truth of his past?
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What does Jocasta do when Oedipus learns the truth of his past?
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After Oedipus leaves the throne, who becomes king? What happens to Oedipus?
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What declaration does Creon make after the battle for control of Thebes?
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How does the House of Thebes come to an end?
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What does the contest between Athena and Poseidon indicate about the Greek people?
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What common practice does the story of Philomela and Procne illustrate?
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Who is Creüsa?
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Who did Jason marry after he divorced Medea?
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How did Medea get revenge?
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Study Notes
Agamemnon and Orestes
- Agamemnon is killed by Clytemnestra, who uses a net to trap him in the bath and axes him to death.
- Upon returning from the Trojan War, Agamemnon brings back considerable loot and the captive Trojan princess, Cassandra.
- Electra, daughter of Agamemnon, is married off to a poor peasant.
- Orestes, son of Agamemnon and brother to Electra, is a significant figure in this narrative.
- The oracle at Delphi instructs Orestes to avenge his father's murder, driving the plot.
- To enter his mother’s palace, Orestes pretends to bear news of his own death alongside his friend Pylades.
- Orestes escapes the tragic fate of his family by ending the curse placed on the House of Atreus through his case to Athena.
Oedipus
- Oedipus was abandoned on a mountain to prevent the fulfillment of a prophecy concerning his future.
- He becomes King of Thebes by solving the Sphinx's riddle, delivering the city from its threat.
- Apollo commands the search for King Laius's murderer to lift a plague afflicting Thebes.
- Upon discovering the truth of his origins, Oedipus rushes to find his wife, Jocasta.
- Jocasta, upon learning the truth, takes her own life, leading Oedipus to blind himself in despair.
- After Oedipus is expelled from Thebes, his brother-in-law Creon ascends to the throne.
- Creon decrees that the dead soldiers who fought against Thebes will not receive burial.
- The House of Thebes ultimately falls with its destruction caused by eradne and Capaneus.
Greek Mythology Themes
- The contest between Athena and Poseidon, judged by Cecrops, reflects the intelligence and wisdom valued by Greek society.
- The tale of Philomela and Procne exemplifies the patriarchal structure prevalent in ancient Greece.
Characters and Relationships
- Creüsa is the daughter of King Creon of Corinth.
- Jason, after divorcing Medea, marries Creüsa.
- Medea seeks revenge by gifting Creüsa a cursed dress that ignites and kills her tragically.
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Description
Explore the dark tales of Agamemnon, Clytemnestra, Orestes, and Oedipus in this quiz focused on Greek tragedies. Understand the themes of revenge, fate, and family curses that dominate these ancient narratives. Test your knowledge of these iconic characters and their tragic fates.